Caerphilly Castle, paid admission, open daily
Details
Accessibility:
Disabled visitors can be dropped off by car at the main entrance, Dogs on leads welcome, toilets including A toilet for users with a disability/ limited mobility
For accessibility information please contact our castle team at: CaerphillyCastle@gov.wales
A portable induction loop is available. Accessible toilets Open from Saturday 19 July 2025
For further accessibility information contact venue directly and see https://cadw.gov.wales/caerphilly-castle-access-guide
+ 2025: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle#opening-times Disabled person and companion Free There are both short and long stay pay and display car parks available; the short stay car park is approx 110m away. The long stay car park is approx. 500m away. There is dedicated accessible parking.
2025 update:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly8r1rpxyno
Brief description:
Moated, 13th-century fortress with imposing gatehouse, fortified dam and a tower bombed by Cromwell.
"Llywelyn ap Gruffudd didn’t build Caerphilly Castle. In fact he twice tried to knock it down before it was finished. But he was certainly its inspiration.
The rise of the powerful Prince of Wales persuaded Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare that he needed a fortress in double-quick time. And it had better be truly formidable.
So from 1268 de Clare constructed the biggest castle in Wales — second only to Windsor in the whole of Britain. Massive walls, towers and gatehouses were combined with sprawling water defences to cover a total of 30 acres.
That’s three times the size of Wales’s modern-day stronghold and home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium.
On the death of Llywelyn this frontline fortress was transformed into a palatial home with a hunting park and northern lake. It passed into the hands of Edward II’s ruthless and greedy favourite Hugh Despenser, who revamped the great hall in ornate style.
By then Caerphilly must have appeared like some mythical castle floating in an enchanted lake. An effect oddly enhanced by the Civil War gunpowder that left the south-east tower at a precarious angle.
In fact Wales’s very own Leaning Tower — even wonkier than that of Pisa — is probably the castle’s best-loved feature"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caerphilly_Castle
2025: "Caerphilly Castle (Welsh: Castell Caerffili) is a medieval fortification in Caerphilly in South Wales. The castle was constructed by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century as part of his campaign to maintain control of Glamorgan, and saw extensive fighting between Gilbert, his descendants, and the native Welsh rulers. Surrounded by extensive artificial lakes – considered by historian Allen Brown to be "the most elaborate water defences in all Britain" – it occupies around 30 acres (12 ha) and is the largest castle in Wales and the third-largest castle in the United Kingdom (after Dover Castle & Windsor Castle).[3]
It is famous for having introduced concentric castle defences to Britain and for its large gatehouses. Gilbert began work on the castle in 1268 following his occupation of the north of Glamorgan, with the majority of the construction occurring over the next three years at a considerable cost. The project was opposed by Gilbert's Welsh rival Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, leading to the site being burnt in 1270 and taken over by royal officials in 1271. Despite these interruptions, Gilbert successfully completed the castle and took control of the region. The core of Caerphilly Castle, including the castle's luxurious accommodation, was built on what became a central island, surrounding by several artificial lakes, a design Gilbert probably derived from that at Kenilworth. The dams for these lakes were further fortified, and an island to the west provided additional protection. The concentric rings of walls inspired Edward I's castles in North Wales, and proved what historian Norman Pounds has termed "a turning point in the history of the castle in Britain".[4]
The castle was attacked during the Madog ap Llywelyn revolt of 1294, the Llywelyn Bren uprising in 1316 and during the overthrow of Edward II in 1326–27. In the late 15th century, however, it fell into decline and by the 16th century the lakes had drained away and the walls were robbed of their stone. The Marquesses of Bute acquired the property in 1776 and under the third and fourth Marquesses extensive restoration took place. In 1950 the castle and grounds were given to the state and the water defences were re-flooded. In the 21st century, the Welsh heritage agency Cadw manages the site as a tourist attraction."
Address:
Castle St, Caerphilly CF83 1JD
Email:
or via webpage: https://cadw.gov.wales/about/contact-us/?lang=en
Phone:
0300 0256000. For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 02920 883143
Website:
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly8r1rpxyno
Directions:
From the A470 take Caerphilly road East onto the B4600, follow Castle street South to destination. There are both short and long stay pay and display car parks available; the short stay car park is approx 110m away. The long stay car park is approx. 500m away. There is dedicated accessible parking. A468 (from Newport), M4 (J32), A470, A469 (from Cardiff).
Postcode CF83 1JDwhat3words: ///defeat.crisp.grass
OS SO 155870
Opening Times:
see https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle
+ 2025: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caerphilly-castle#opening-times Disabled person and companion Free.Cadw £1 ticket – for those on Universal Credit and other named benefits
**Student photo ID card is required to be shown on entry
Blue Light Card holders and HM Armed Forces & Veterans receive 10% off individual admission (not available online).
2025 update:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly8r1rpxyno
Previously: "Cadw has announced details of an investment of £10m in development works at Caerphilly Castle. During this phase of the project, the Great Hall, central courtyard and some ground floor areas of the inner ward will be closed to visitors. Upper floors and wall walks will be open as much as possible, but will require accessing historic spiral stairs.
No visitor toilets will be accessible within the castle but visitors can use toilets at nearby locations (Caerphilly Library and Visitor Centre) which are close to the castle. There may be occasions where additional parts of the castle need to be closed to visitors for safety reasons.
Due to the ongoing redevelopment works, venue hire and trade bookings will be considered but the site may be subject to last minute closures."
Transport:
Bus: A/B/C: Graig-y-Rhacca/ Senghenydd/ Penyrheol- Caerphilly
26: Blackwood circular
50: Bargoed- Newport
Closest train station is Caerphilly (0.8 miles)
For more travel information visit https://www.traveline.cymru or call 0800 464 00 00
Amenities:
"Access guide
Pay and Display car park. There are both short and long stay pay and display car parks available; the short stay car park is approx 110m away. The long stay car park is approx. 500m away. There is dedicated accessible parking.
Civil ceremony licence
Dogs on leads welcome: Dogs on leads are welcome to explore the ground floor levels of the castle. Assistance dogs only above ground floor level.
Exhibition
Gift shop
Guidebook
Drone policy
No smoking
Portable hearing
Video presentation
School visits To book your free self-led education visit to this site, go to our self-led education visits section. While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
Venue hire
Wi-Fi"
The closest Town is Caerphilly which has public toilets, banks, public transport, shops, eating establishments, public park, post office, hospital, hotels and golf club.
Travel Information
For further travel information in Wales please see: www.traveline.cymru/travel-info
Or call Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000
Location
Nearest Venues
Natwest Cymru, 11 Cardiff Road, Caerphilly
173 metres*
Post Office, Castle Street, Caerphilly
183 metres*
186 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.